Hi ho! Hi ho! It’s Home to Work We Go!
Well here we are. Just one big happy family all home together attempting to work and learn while living in each other’s pockets! For some of us this is nothing new but for many more this introduces a new and very challenging dynamic to the family structure and household rhythm. The lines between office, school and home are now blurred, schedules and chores may have radically changed. So, let’s start with home work. How often have you done a household chore yourself because you’re in a hurry and it’s easier than badgering the children? Well without the spur of a rigid schedule maybe consider using this time as an opportunity to teach them about household chores like laundry, dishes, cooking, organizing different spaces or keeping their rooms picked up. Meet them at the age and skill level appropriate but learning what it takes to run a household is a valuable skillset which also fosters working together as a family unit.
Some office/school/work suggestions to consider:
Give everyone an office/workspace, formally “leave” for your workspace, set a timer for breaks, agree on office “protocols” such as noise levels, organizing materials, how to interrupt (bell or knock) to ask for help. Age range 5 – 18
Make a chart with the office rules, work times and break times placed in an easily consulted spot. Any age
Parents rotate between work duty/ kid duty, rotate parent child combinations. Any age
Don’t honor interruptions, firmly redirect back to their work/ activities, allow to stay in room with you if their activities are quiet and you can work together. If you are consistent and patient, they can learn this skill. Shut the door, out of sight out of mind, if it’s safe to do so. Age range 4 – 18
Parents should have reasonable expectations of work times and interruptions, don’t ask the impossible from your children, use headphones or white noise if you know someone else can hear what’s going on, plan on lots of breaks, work when children are asleep (a no brainer!).
Set up a quiet cozy space for children to use when parents are working, if they are upset, reading or want time alone. Have them help you set it up. Closets and corners can be quite cozy. Age range 2– 18
Have older siblings help the littles with their work or activities. Stress that this is about teaching and helping, not about grading or judging the quality of work. Teaching another can benefit the older child with confidence and an appreciation for instructing others. Age range 3– 18
Use screen time as work time but no more than you usually would and not more than an hour in one go, especially for younger children. They can read or do math programs on their tablet while parent works. Start fostering the idea of screens as tools not just a vehicle for video game entertainment! Age range 4 – 18
Every family has a dynamic, speed and rhythm all its own. Some are quiet with slow starts and lots of breaks, others are boisterous non-stop early risers, but most are a wondrous combination personalities and preferences. Think of this like choreographing a dance where each dancer has certain strengths, who needs to be in a certain place at a certain time and everyone together makes a graceful working whole. Given the time and patience to learn each other’s rhythm your family’s dance will also develop a state of working grace!
